Beach Golf Hand Ball

ABSTRACT

A beach golf game includes at least one rigid cup and a plurality of balls each sized to fit in the rigid cup. A rules sheet sets forth game rules and describes game play. The rigid cup and the balls are encased in a carrying bag. In playing the game, the cup is used to dig a hole in a sandy surface, and the cup is placed in the hole such that a top of the cup is level with the sandy surface. A mound of sand is built on one side of the cup, and players take turns attempting to roll the balls into the cup.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/506,277, filed Jul. 11, 2011, the entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(NOT APPLICABLE)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a recreational beach game and, more particularly, to a beach golf game using cups and golf balls.

Beach games are very popular amongst children and adults. Existing games can be fun but have a tendency to become tedious or boring after time. Paddleball is a popular game using wooden paddles and a small rubber ball. Players simply bat the ball back and forth, typically without any competition, scoring, etc. Low skill levels or low coordination can also be burdensome as players are constantly chasing missed balls or misdirected balls. Bocce ball is also a popular game played with a small (target) ball and several larger balls. Once the target ball is placed, players takes turns pitching the larger balls, and points are scored based on the proximity of the larger balls to the target ball. This game adds a competitive element, but it is sometimes difficult to determine whose ball is closest to the target ball. Additionally, the large balls are quite heavy and can be difficult for younger players to pitch. Beach volleyball is also quite popular but requires more equipment, players and higher skill levels.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It would be desirable for a beach game to overcome the drawbacks of existing games. The game should include a competitive element and include equipment that is not only portable but is easy to use for all ages and skill levels.

Beach golf hand ball is a fun and simple game for anyone looking for a great activity to play at the beach. Rolling a ball along the beach into a cup can result in a surprisingly exciting game. It will test your skills and can be as relaxed or as competitive as the players want. Players will start to hear whoops and hollers as people watch the action and cheer the ball into the cup.

In an exemplary embodiment, a beach golf game includes at least one rigid cup, and a plurality of balls, each sized to fit in the rigid cup. A rules sheet sets forth game rules and describes game play, and the game parts are encased in a carrying bag. In one embodiment, the at least one rigid cup comprises a section of PVC pipe. In this context, one side of the rigid cup may be cut at an angle to define a spade for digging. The game preferably includes a pair of rigid cups, and the balls are preferably golf balls. The carrying bag may be made of a mesh material.

In another exemplary embodiment, a method of playing a beach golf game on a sandy surface using a cup and balls includes the steps of (a) digging at least one hole in the sandy surface with the cup; (b) placing the cup in the hole such that a top of the cup is level with the sandy surface; (c) building a mound of sand on one side of the cup; and (d) taking turns attempting to roll the balls into the cup. Step (a) may be practiced by digging the hole with the spade formed by the side of the cup. With two cups, step (a) may be practiced by digging the holes 15-30 feet apart. Step (c) may be practiced by building the mound of sand behind each of the two cups. Preferably, step (c) is practiced using sand from the digging in step (a).

Step (d) may be practiced by awarding a point for each ball rolled into the cup. In this context, the beach golf game may include four balls, wherein step (d) is practiced by rolling the four balls for each turn. One player can win the game if (1) that player's score reaches five points and exceeds the other player's score by at least two points; or (2) three of the four balls rolled in any one turn are rolled into the cup.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other aspects and advantages will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the contents of the beach golf hand ball game;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of one of the golf cups;

FIG. 3 is a side view of one of the cups; and

FIG. 4 shows the golf balls used with the game.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, the beach golf hand ball game 10 preferably includes four golf balls 12, two beach golf cups 14, a rules sheet 16 setting forth game rules and describing game play, and a carrying bag 18 sized to encase the game components. Although the preferred assembly shown in FIG. 1 includes two cups 14 and four balls 12, the game can be played with as little as one cup and one ball or still additional cups and balls. In the preferred configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, the complementary shapes of the two cups fit together with the balls positioned in the cups and all components conveniently secured in the carrying bag 18.

The cups 14 can be formed of any suitable material but should be rigid enough to maintain their shape and functionality during use. In an exemplary construction, the cups 14 are comprised of sections of PVC pipe. As shown in the drawings, one side of the cups 14 may be cut at an angle to define a spade for digging.

The carrying bag 18 can be formed of any suitable material and is preferably formed of a mesh material.

To set up the game, players find an area on the beach where the sand is dry and smooth, e.g., an area where the tide has recently gone down. The slanted side of the cups 14 can be used to dig holes about 4″ deep. The holes can be any distance from each other, but a preferred range is 15-30 feet, depending on skill level. The holes should be located so when playing, the balls are rolled generally parallel to the shore line.

After digging the holes, the cups 14 are placed in the holes and pressed down to make the top of the cups level with the surface of the sand. Using the sand removed in the digging step, a small mound of sand can be made about 2″ behind the back of each cup. The mounds are used as ball stoppers.

After making the holes, it may be necessary to smooth some of the playing area by brushing away any rougher sand and removing any objects that may interfere with the path of the ball.

The object of the game is to roll a golf ball along the smooth sand from the beach into the cup, scoring one point for each ball in the cup. The first player to reach five points wins, and it is preferable that players must win by two points. A set may consist of the best two out of three games.

The game can be played one-on-one or with teams.

To play the game, each player or team stands behind one of the cups. One player starts with all four balls and rolls them across the sand, trying to sink them in their opponent's cup to score a point. There are four balls, and therefore four rolls per turn. If a player steps in front of the cup while rolling, the roll does not count. After each player rolls four balls, as long as at least one point is scored, players switch sides. If neither player sinks a ball in their turn, players can remain on the same side until someone sinks the ball, and then switch sides.

In addition to reaching five points to win the game, if one player rolls three balls in the cup on any one turn, that person automatically wins the game.

The game is fun and exciting and requires concentration and strategy, while remaining simple and portable. As the cups are easily placeable for game play, the course of play can be readily changed if desired by simply moving to another location. Players of all ages and skill levels can set up and play the game, and the game will provide for hours of beach fun.

While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. 

1. A beach golf game comprising: at least one rigid cup; a plurality of balls, each of the balls being sized to fit in the rigid cup; a rules sheet setting forth game rules and describing game play; and a carrying bag sized to encase at least the rigid cup and the balls.
 2. A beach golf game according to claim 1, wherein the at least one rigid cup comprises a section of PVC pipe.
 3. A beach golf game according to claim 2, wherein one side of the rigid cup is cut at an angle to define a spade for digging.
 4. A beach golf game according to claim 1, comprising a pair of rigid cups.
 5. A beach golf game according to claim 1, wherein the balls are golf balls.
 6. A beach golf game according to claim 5, comprising four of the golf balls.
 7. A beach golf game according to claim 1, wherein the carrying bag is made of a mesh material.
 8. A method of playing a beach golf game on a sandy surface using a cup and balls, the method comprising: (a) digging at least one hole in the sandy surface with the cup; (b) placing the cup in the hole such that a top of the cup is level with the sandy surface; (c) building a mound of sand on one side of the cup; and (d) taking turns attempting to roll the balls into the cup.
 9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the cup comprises a section of a PVC pipe, wherein one side of the cup is cut at an angle to define a spade for digging, and wherein step (a) is practiced by digging the hole with the spade.
 10. A method according to claim 8, wherein the beach golf game includes two cups, and wherein step (a) is practiced for each of the two cups.
 11. A method according to claim 10, wherein step (a) is practiced by digging the holes 15-30 feet apart.
 12. A method according to claim 10, wherein step (c) is practiced by building the mound of sand behind each of the two cups.
 13. A method according to claim 8, wherein step (c) is practiced using sand from the digging in step (a).
 14. A method according to claim 8, wherein step (d) is practiced by awarding a point for each ball rolled into the cup.
 15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the beach golf game includes four balls, wherein step (d) is practiced by rolling the four balls for each turn.
 16. A method according to claim 15, further comprising: one player winning the game if the one player score reaches five points and exceeds an other player score by at least two points; or the one player winning the game if three of the four balls rolled in one turn are rolled into the cup. 